DUBAI, UAE - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Baghdad on Wednesday on his first official foreign visit since taking office in July, where he was received by both Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani and President Abdul Latif Rashid.

Prime Minister Sudani welcomed Pezeshkian at Baghdad International Airport in an official ceremony that included the playing of the national anthems of both countries and a review of the honor guard, representing various branches of Iraq’s armed forces. 

Pezeshkian, accompanied by a large delegation of Iranian ministers, will engage in extensive talks with Sudani. 

Discussions are expected to focus on regional developments, particularly the ongoing crisis in Gaza, along with efforts to enhance economic, security, and trade cooperation between the neighboring countries.

After the airport ceremony, Pezeshkian was greeted at Baghdad Palace by Iraqi President Rashid. 

The two presidents are expected to oversee the signing of a series of memoranda of understanding in key sectors, including tax cooperation, agriculture, natural resources, communications, social protection, and cultural and artistic exchange. 

Additional agreements will cover vocational training, youth and sports, education, tourism, antiquities cooperation, and skilled labor development, as well as collaboration between the chambers of commerce.

Pezeshkian is set to visit Najaf, Karbala, Basra, and the Kurdistan Region during his visit.

The Iranian president is expected in Erbil on Friday, where he will meet with KDP’s President Masoud Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani, and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.

During his visit to Erbil, it is expected that he will discuss the fate of Iranian Kurdish opposition groups that have for years sought shelter in the Region.

The visit comes as both Baghdad and Tehran have agreed on putting an end to the presence of Iranian opposition groups along Iran’s border, which Iran sees as a threat to its security.